Achal Kumar Joti appointed India’s New Chief Election Commissioner

New Delhi, July 6: Achal Kumar Joti took charge as the new Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) on Thursday. The former Gujarat chief secretary was appointed as the next Chief Election Commissioner on Tuesday succeeding Nasim Zaidi. Joti retired as the Gujarat Chief Secretary in January 2013. He was also the Secretary in the Industry, Revenue and Water Supply Departments in the State. Joti, a 1975-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, had joined the three-member Commission as an Election Commissioner on May 8, 2015.64-year-old Achal Kumar

64-year-old Achal Kumar Joti, was appointed Election Commissioner and joined the three-member panel with Nasim Zaidi and Om Prakash Rawat in May 2015. He is an IAS officer of the 1975 batch from Gujarat cadre. He served as the Chief Secretary of Gujarat during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s tenure as Chief Minister of the state.

Achal Kumar Joti has also served as the Gujarat vigilance commissioner. Achal Kumar Joti will be the 21st CEC (Chief Election Commissioner). As per the constitution, the Chief Election Commissioner heads the Election Commission of India for a tenure of six years in office, or till he or she attains the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier. As CEC of India, Joti will be overseeing state Assembly elections in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh before retiring from office in January 2018, as he turns 65, TOI reported.

Achal Kumar Joti has worked in various capacities in Gujarat as the chairman of the Kandla Port Trust between 1999 and 2004. He served as the managing director of the Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Ltd(SSNNL). He was also the secretary in the industry, revenue and water supply departments in the state.